Senate Shelves Immigration Bill
By Suzanne Gamboa
Associated Press Writer

Washington

The Senate sidetracked sweeping immigration legislation Friday, leaving in doubt prospects for passing a bill offering the hope of citizenship to millions of men, women and children living in the United States illegally.

A carefully crafted compromise that supporters had claimed could win an overwhelming majority received only 38 of the 60 votes necessary to protect it from weakening amendments by opponents.

Republicans were united in the 38-60 parliamentary vote but Democrats, who have insisted on no amendments, lost six votes from their members.

Democrats and Republicans had been blaming each other Friday for problems stalling the progress of bill.

Scheduled votes to break the logjam failed and both supporters and opponents of the bill will have to wait until Congress returns from a two-week spring recess, if then.

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Crash sends 13 illegals to YRMC; nine later back out on street
By Jeffrey Gautreaux, Sun Staff Writer
Photo By Jacob Lopez/The Sun

A loaded smuggling vehicle collided with a large pickup Thursday morning, sending 13 suspected illegal aliens to the hospital.

Nine of those 13 were later released from the hospital but were not taken into Border Patrol custody — similar to a March 15 incident.

The nine who were released were not taken into custody by the Border Patrol, according to Yuma sector Border Patrol spokesman Richard Hays.

Border Patrol policy does not allow agents to sit in the parking lot of hospitals or enter emergency rooms. "Doing that would violate our policy, and YRMC's policy as well," Hays said.

A national Border Patrol policy directs agents not to take injured people into custody. Hays said the focus is on getting medical help, not asking immigration status. Because the Border Patrol was not on the scene of the crash, the status of the occupants is simply as suspected illegal aliens.

After two such occurrences in less than a month, Hays was asked if this situation would change. He said it was a complex issue and directed questions to Border Patrol headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Bratcher said YCSO did not have any of the occupants in custody and would not arrest any of the passengers. He said if Border Patrol did not arrest the driver, YCSO would. "We feel this is a federal problem that is much better handled by them," he said.

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Andrade has Imperial County deputies’ attention
By Jeffrey Gautreaux, Sun Staff Writer

The Imperial County Sheriff's Office says an increase in calls for service to the Quechan parking lot near the U.S. Port of Entry at Andrade, Calif., has forced the agency to step up its operations.

Sgt. Anthony Brewer said officers will be out in full force this weekend and coming weekends to keep the peace in the area. He said over the last few months there has been an increase in underage drinking, assaults and breaches of the peace there, often involving 18- to 24-year-olds.

"Boisterous behavior will not be tolerated," Brewer said.

Brewer said officers will be checking IDs and turning away youths who are under 18 and not accompanied by a parent. He said vehicles will also be stopped at a checkpoint to ensure drivers have no impairment.

Note: Andrade is a border town with Mexico. The underage drinking is a result of these young people going into Mexico to drink. -mm

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Immigration Issues Divides Evangelicals
By ERICA WERNER
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Evangelical groups released a letter Wednesday advocating immigration reforms, including a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country. But the influential National Association of Evangelicals did not sign it, underscoring divisions among conservative Christians over immigration.

The letter to President Bush and members of Congress was signed by dozens of pastors from around the country and several Latino evangelical groups, including the Latino Leadership Foundation and the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. The letter doesn't endorse a specific proposal but embraces the main elements of legislation being debated in the Senate that would create a guest worker program for illegal immigrants.

Many conservatives support stronger border enforcement measures like those in a House-passed bill, and criticize moves to create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already here as amnesty.

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U.S. exec abducted in Tijuana
By Diane Lindquist and Anna Cearley
Union-Tribune Staff Writers

Tijuana – A high-level U.S. executive was abducted here yesterday morning after crossing the border, sending shock waves through a maquiladora industry that for a decade has seemed immune from a wave of kidnappings in Mexico.

Baja California authorities offered sketchy details, but the U.S. Consulate here identified the victim as Yong Hak Kim, a U.S.-born citizen of Korean descent. Kim is a top administrator of Amex Manufacturing in eastern Tijuana.

Kim, who is in his 50s, was intercepted about 7 a.m. while driving to his business, Baja California Attorney General Antonio Martínez Luna said.

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Migrant smugglers, experts expect business to boom with crackdown
By Julie Watson
Associated Press

Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico – Barely 18, Jose belongs to Mexico's new generation of migrant smugglers – young, savvy and happy to see Uncle Sam further tighten border security.

Why? It's good for business, he says.

Jose figures more migrants will seek his help if the U.S. Senate approves legislation to double the Border Patrol and put up a virtual wall of unmanned vehicles, cameras and sensors to monitor the 2,000-mile border with Mexico.

Border experts say the price for helping Mexicans move north has quadrupled from $300 to $1,200 since 1994, when the U.S. last tightened the rules. Cases are coming to light of smugglers making $1 million or more. And Jose reckons the earnings will rise yet higher if new obstacles go up.

“This is never going to end,” he said. “The United States cannot work without Mexicans.”